EditPutin dismisses EU as ‘robbers’ in marathon press extravaganza
Russia remains "ready for negotiations and a peaceful resolution," provided the West accepts the Kremlin terms
In his annual end-of-year marathon press conference on 19 December, Russian President Vladimir Putin adopted a scornful tone toward the European Union, accusing it of attempting “daylight robbery” with frozen assets while portraying Europe as a fading power increasingly irrelevant to Ukraine peace efforts.
The nearly 4.5-hour event – combining a press conference with the “Direct Line” public Q&A – saw Putin reiterate unchanging demands for ending the war: Ukrainian neutrality, withdrawal from four annexed regions, and demilitarization, as outlined in his June 2024 speech.
He offered no concessions, insisting the “ball is entirely in the court” of Kyiv and its “European sponsors.”
Putin’s most barbed remarks targeted Brussels. Hours after EU leaders abandoned plans to back a Ukraine loan with profits from €210 billion in frozen Russian central bank assets – opting instead for joint borrowing – he hailed the pivot as proof the “robbery” had failed.
EU pivots to plan B: joint borrowing for Ukraine, shelving frozen Russian assets plan
“Theft is not the appropriate term… It’s daylight robbery,” he said, according to the official Kremlin transcript. “Why can’t this robbery be carried out? Because the consequences could be grave for the robbers themselves.” He argued the episode had damaged Europe’s reputation as a safe investment haven, reinforcing Moscow’s narrative of Western decline.
The Kremlin leader contrasted Europe’s supposed greed with what he described as its diminishing influence. “Europe is a degrading continent,” he stated bluntly in response to a question on dialogue, per the transcript. Yet he left a narrow door open: Russia remains “ready for negotiations and a peaceful resolution,” provided terms align with Moscow’s security interests.
This mixed messaging aligns with Putin’s broader theme of shifting global dynamics. He praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s “serious and sincere” efforts to end the conflict, positioning Washington as the primary interlocutor while sidelining Europe. Trump, he suggested, understands realpolitik better than Brussels, which he accused of prolonging the war through blind support for Kyiv.
Nuclear warning
Putin’s press extravaganza featured a pointed warning about Russia’s new intermediate-range ballistic missile system, the “Oreshnik” (Hazelnut), which he explicitly framed as a direct counter to European threats. Describing it as a hypersonic nuclear-capable weapon with multiple warheads capable of striking targets across Europe in minutes, Putin boasted that the system – first used in combat against Ukraine with conventional warheads in November 2025—renders existing Western missile defences obsolete.
“No one has anything like this,” he declared, according to the official Kremlin transcript, emphasizing its speed and maneuverability make interception “practically impossible.”
The missile, he implied, restores strategic balance after NATO’s expansion and deployment of defensive systems nearer Russia’s borders.
Putin suggested that any European attempt to host U.S. intermediate-range missiles – echoing Cold War-era deployments – would invite immediate Russian retaliation with systems like Oreshnik.
“If someone wants to escalate, we are ready,” he said, framing the weapon as a deterrent against perceived European aggression while dismissing the EU as a “degrading continent” reliant on American protection.
By highlighting a missile explicitly aimed at European capitals, Putin obviously seeks to exploit transatlantic divergences – praising Trump’s peace efforts while mocking European leaders as “podsvinki” (piglets) earlier in the week.
Putin derides European leaders as “piglets” amid renewed threats over Ukraine
Analysts note this dual approach aims to fracture NATO unity, deterring deeper European involvement in Ukraine and pressuring capitals to accept Russia’s terms, all while signalling that any future security architecture must account for Moscow’s escalated capabilities on the continent.
Domestic moments punctuated the event: complaints about tap water and living costs flashed on screen, a soldier’s widow receiving an on-air apology for delayed compensation, and light-hearted admissions (Putin confirmed he is “in love” but declined details). Yet the core message was unyielding: Russia will dictate terms, and Europe, having overreached on assets, has weakened its own hand.
With Reuters and the Kremlin transcript, edited by g.g.
Caption: Russian President Vladimir Putin (C) attends his annual live broadcast press conference with Russian federal, regional, and foreign media at the Gostiny Dvor forum hall in Moscow, Russia, 19 December 2025. Russian President Vladimir Putin on 19 December holds his end-of-year press conference and the ‘Direct Line with Vladimir Putin’ televised event, where he will answer citizens’ questions focusing on domestic issues. EPA/SERGEI ILNITSKY
Updated: December 19, 2025 - 17:32
